Investigation into drug activity at apartment complex nets 16 arrests

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Charleston Police say 16 people were arrested on Tuesday following an undercover investigation into possible drug activity at an apartment complex in Charleston.

During the summer months, management at Vista View told officers they began receiving complaints about drug and gun activity. Those complaints came into the Special Enforcement Unit leading to an investigation. CPD said once the investigation was complete SEU and ATF identified 19 suspects.

“Vista View Apartment management reached out to our special enforcement unit. They had received several complaints of drug activity, firearm activity, and once we started the investigation, it grew pretty big,” Lt. Tony Hazelett with the Charleston Police Department said.

CPD said that Tuesday morning, around 50 officers participated in the operation that resulted in 16 arrests being made, nine of which were warrants obtained as a result of the investigation. The other seven arrests were made because of individuals having outstanding warrants, not part of the investigation.

The raid Tuesday morning was a joint operation between CPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

“The main goal of the special enforcement unit is to act on tips which we have done through several investigations,” Hazelett said. “So if you are a law-abiding citizen and send in anonymous tips to our special enforcement unit, we take it very seriously.”

According to a news release, those 9 individuals were charged with offenses directly related to the operation ranging from conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance.

“It’ll put a huge dent here in the Vista View Apartment area, like I said there is good people up here. They went to management and was seeking advice and management met with our special enforcement division and we started an investigation and it ended up pretty good,” Hazelett said.

WSAZ reached out to Vista View Apartments who declined to do an interview at this time and would not give me any other information.

The investigation is still ongoing.

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